Xu Hantang

Xu Hantang, born in May 1932, is a renowned Chinese Arts and Crafts Master, a master of Chinese ceramic art, a senior arts and crafts artist at the researcher level, a director of the Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Association, a member of the China Ceramic Association, a senior member of the China Arts and Crafts Association, a director of the Shanghai Purple Clay Association, and an advisor to the Sino-Japanese Ceramic Research Association. He currently serves as a member of the Wuxi CPPCC and the director of the Yixing Zisha Craft Factory Research Institute.Xu Hantang, born in May 1932, is a renowned Chinese Arts and Crafts Master, a master of Chinese ceramic art, a senior arts and crafts artist at the researcher level, a director of the Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Association, a member of the China Ceramic Association, a senior member of the China Arts and Crafts Association, a director of the Shanghai Purple Clay Association, and an advisor to the Sino-Japanese Ceramic Research Association. He currently serves as a member of the Wuxi CPPCC and the director of the Yixing Zisha Craft Factory Research Institute.In the early 1950s, Xu apprenticed under Gu Jingzhou, a contemporary titan of Zisha craftsmanship, becoming his first disciple. In 1955, he joined the Shushan Pottery Production Cooperative (the predecessor of the Zisha Craft Factory) and was sent to Wuxi in 1958 to study and innovate new “zisha” model production techniques. He designed novel items such as iron mold pressing for teapot lids and plaster slip casting. In 1965, he designed and produced 250 types of flowerpots for the Shanghai Bonsai Association, which quickly became prized possessions among collectors in Shanghai. In 1970, his creation of a ten-piece set of assorted horizontal teapots was showcased at the Chinese Arts and Crafts Exhibition in the United States, attracting significant attention and sustaining long-term popularity. In 1975, Xu participated in a daily-use ceramic art design training course at the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts. The same year, he took part in the physical measurement and drawing work for the book "Zisha Pottery Shapes," published by the Light Industry Press in 1978.

Xu's works are distinguished by their use of ice-crack glaze techniques, creating naturally intricate patterns. His teapot lids align perfectly with the body, and he employs various decorative methods such as clay application, color adjustments, border flowers, and inlay techniques. In 1979, at the Yixing Ceramics Exhibition in the Beijing Forbidden City, his works captivated numerous visitors. Inspired by redwood carving and silver wire inlay techniques, Xu collaborated with Xu Xiutang and Bao Zhongmei to create two sets of "Fifteen-Piece Silver Inlaid Coffee Sets" in 1979, initiating a new wave of silver-inlaid zisha craftsmanship admired by collectors. His "Four-Sided Ice-Crack Teapot" won the Excellence Award at the National Ceramic Art Design Competition in 1980. In 1982, his "Six-Piece Tea Set" won the second prize at the same competition, and his "Assorted Horizontal Teapots" won the special prize and first prize for new products in Jiangsu Province.

In 1986, Xu was invited to Hong Kong for technical demonstrations, receiving coverage from major newspapers and TV stations. His works "Sui Han San You," "Three-Pronged Flower," and "Large Duo Teapot" were highly praised. In 1987, the Hong Kong Marine Company hosted an exhibition where he presented "Pearl of the Blue Sea" and "Ancient Beast Gazing into the Present," inspired by ocean waves. In 1988, he participated in the "Exhibition of Contemporary Yixing Zisha Masters" hosted by Hong Kong Huacui Company with "Fishing Alone on a Cold River." In 1992, at the invitation of the Taiwan Ethnic Culture Foundation, Xu and his brother Xu Xiutang conducted academic exchanges and lectures at Tunghai University, demonstrating their techniques. In 1997, his two large works were exhibited at the "First China Modern Ceramic Art Exhibition" in Shanghai. Dedicated to training talents in the zisha industry, Xu's works are housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Hong Kong Tea Ware Museum.